DESCRIPTION

At birth, most babies are born head first with face down. In a breech presentation, the fetal buttocks or feet lie nearest the birth canal and are the first part to emerge. Breech presentation occurs in 3-4 percent of all births. Types of breech presentations include:

Frank breech where the thighs are flexed on the abdomen and both legs are extended at the knee so that the feet are near the head.

Complete breech where the thighs are flexed on the abdomen and both legs are flexed at the knee.

Footling breech where one or both legs are extended below the level of the buttocks.

Knee breech where one or both knees are extended below the level of the buttocks.

---

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

There are no visible signs.

The diagnosis can be determined by abdominal palpation or vaginal examination and confirmed by ultrasound.

Fetal heart sounds are heard high on the mother's abdomen, usually around the belly button region.

---

CAUSES

Before 36 weeks, the fetus may move about from one position to the other. In the later weeks of pregnancy, these changes are more difficult. Usually the fetus spontaneously assumes the head down position, but in some instances the breech position occurs.

---

RISK INCREASES WITH

Premature labor and delivery.

Multiple fetuses.

Uterine abnormalities.

Fetal congenital malformation.

Pelvic tumor (fibroids).

---

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

None known to prevent the original breech position.

For some, a slanted board exercise where the mother lies with feet raised higher than her head for several minutes a few times a day. This exercise may be used in the latter part of pregnancy to attempt to naturally entice the fetus to change position to head down. This will only work if the fetus has not engaged into the pelvis.

For some others, after the breech position is diagnosed, a technique called external version is performed, which attempts to rotate the fetus to the proper position.

---

HELPFUL BREECH BIRTH LINKS

MyBreechBirth: Home Birth of a Footling Breech Baby

Breech Birth: A Planned Homebirth of a Footling Breech with Midwife

Sabastian's Breech Homebirth Story (with wonderful photos)

Vaginal Breech Birth - Hospital with Episiotomy & Forceps

Vaginal Breech Birth - Hospital without Pain Medication, Episiotomy & Forceps

Breech Presentation & Acupuncture

Heads Up!: All About Breech Babies

MomCare: Breech Turning Techniques

BabyCenter.com: Breech Birth

GentleBirth.org: Midwife Archives - Prenatal Breech Issues

BirthSpirit: Breech Birth Woman-Wise by Maggie Banks

---

EXPECTED OUTCOME

The decision about delivery will be made on an individual basis. For some, a cesarean birth is recommended for breech babies, while in certain conditions, a vaginal delivery may be recommended. Discuss it fully with your health care provider or midwife.

In most cases, you and your baby will suffer no complications because of the breech presentation.

---

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

Birth injury.

Compression of the umbilical cord causing lack of oxygen to the fetus.

Prolapse of the umbilical cord. Usual treatment for this would be a cesarean delivery.

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

Once the diagnosis of a breech presentation is made, be sure you are informed and understand the options and risks (both to you and to the fetus) involved for each type of delivery (cesarean or vaginal).

AFTER DELIVERY:

• Showering is fine; delay tub baths for 2 to 3 weeks.



• Some degree of postpartum depression (crying jags and feelings of inadequacy) may occur which is normal after birth. However, some research has shown the quality of the birth experience and immediate bonding between mother and baby seems to play a significant factor in the level of "postpartum blues" that the woman may experience.



• Wear an external pad for the vaginal bleeding (lochia discharge) that will occur for several weeks. Your first menstrual period may return in 6 to 8 weeks, but may be delayed for several months if the mother is fully breastfeeding her infant.

---

MEDICATION

Prescription medication may be given for 2 to 7 days following the procedure.

You may use non-prescription medication, such as acetaminophen, for minor pain.

---

ACTIVITY

You may resume sexual relations after 2 weeks (although for some, 4 to 6 weeks may be recommended).

Return to normal activity as soon as your health and well being permit. This will occur more quickly following a vaginal delivery than it will with a cesarean delivery.

---

DIET

No special diet is usually necessary. However, if you are breastfeeding, continue with the same calorie and nutritional intake that you were eating during your pregnancy. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids to maintain your milk supply. See our Nutrition Information for obtaining and maintaining a healthy diet.



NOTIFY YOUR MIDWIFE OR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IF...

If any of the following occurs prior to birth:

• New symptoms develop.

Any of the following occurs following the birth:

• Pain, swelling, redness, drainage or bleeding increases in the surgical area (cesarean or large episiotomy prior to forceps delivery in a medical facility).



• You develop signs of infection: headache, muscle aches, dizziness, or a general ill feeling and fever.



• Bleeding soaks more than one pad in an hour.



• The urge to urinate frequently persists longer than one month.



• Vaginal discharge persists beyond one month.

---

LINKS

MoonDragon's Birthing Guidelines: Variations of Birth - Unexpected Breech

MoonDragon's Vaginal Breech Pictorial - Hospital with Episiotomy & Forceps

MyBreechBirth: Home Birth of a Footling Breech Baby

Breech Birth: A Planned Homebirth of a Footling Breech with Midwife

Vaginal Breech Pictorial - Hospital without Pain Medication, Episiotomy & Forceps

Breech Presentation & Acupuncture

The Website: "Heads Up! All About Breech Babies"

MoonDragon's Pregnancy Information: Performing External Version

MoonDragon's Pregnancy Information: Breech Turning Ideas

MoonDragon's Pregnancy Information: The Established Breech

MoonDragon's Pregnancy Information: Breech Labor - What to Expect

MoonDragon's Pregnancy Information: Breech Labor - How the Attendant May Assist

MoonDragon's Pregnancy Information: The Breech Delivery at Home

BirthDiaries.com: Real Births, Real Photos

---

PREGNANCY RELATED LINKS

MoonDragon's Pregnancy Information & Survival Tips

MoonDragon's Pregnancy Information Index

MoonDragon's Pediatric Information Index

MoonDragon's Parenting Information Index

MoonDragon's Nutrition Information Index

---

HERBS, OILS, & SUPPLIES

MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Manufacturers & Distributors

See all our merchant banners below for products, remedies and supplements recommended on this web site.

HELPFUL PRODUCTS & FURTHER EDUCATION Prescription for Nutritional Healing: The A-To-Z Guide To Supplements -- by Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch - 2nd Edition Prescription for Nutritional Healing: The A-To-Z Guide To Supplements -- by Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch - 4th Edition Prescription for Herbal Healing: The A-To-Z Reference To Common Disorders -- by Phyllis A. Balch The Complete Guide to Natural Healing This is only a small sample of educational materials and products available through Amazon.com. Use the search box provided below to search for a particular item. If you see a suggested Amazon product "not there" as indicated by an orange box with the Amazon logo, this only means the specific product link has been changed by Amazon.com. Use the "click here" icon on the orange box and it will bring you to Amazon.com and you can do a search for a specific product using keywords and a new list of available products and prices will show. Their product and resource links are constantly changing and being upgraded. Many times there are more than one link to a specific product. Prices will vary between product distributors so it pays to shop around and do price comparisons. Educational materials and health products are available through Amazon.com. Use the search box provided below to search for a particular item.

For a full list of available products from Mountain Rose Herbs, click on banner below:
Mountain Rose Bulk Herbs
Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs A Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs B Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs C Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs D Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs E Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs F Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs G Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs H Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs I Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs J Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs K Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs L	Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs M Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs N Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs O Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs P Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs R Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs S Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs T Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs U Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs V Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs W Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs Y

Mountain Rose Aromatherapy Oils

Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils A-B Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils C-E Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils F-L Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils M-P Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils Q-Z Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils: Oil Blends & Resins Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils: Diffusers, Nebulizers, & Burners Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils: Oil Kits

Mountain Rose Herbs.com: Order Online
Accessories & Tools Aroma Sprays & Flower Waters Body & Bath Bulk Herbs Bulk Ingredients Bulk Oils Butters Capsules Clays Essential Oils	Facial Care Hair Care Herbal Extracts Herbal Oils Herbal Salves & Balms Herbal Teas Herbs For Pets Incense, Resins & Candles Massage Oils Medicinal Herb Seeds Tea Brewing Supplies

---

MoonDragon's Nutrition Information Index

MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Nutrition Basics Index

MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Therapy Index

MoonDragon's Nutrition Therapy Index

MoonDragon's Alternative Health Information Index

MoonDragon's Aromatherapy Information Index

MoonDragon's Health & Wellness Index

MoonDragon's ObGyn Womens Health Information Index by Subject Order

MoonDragon's ObGyn Womens Health Information Index by Alphabetical Order

MoonDragon's Main Indexlisting

MoonDragon's Home Page